In the latest TPG Live session, Driving Impact Through Influence and Experimentation, we dived into strategies product managers can use to expand their influence, foster innovation, and navigate the evolving landscape of product management. Featuring an engaging discussion with Inis Hormann (Marketing Director Germany, Cepheid) and Steve Kury (Leadership Development Consultant, SHK Leadership Consulting), the session provided actionable insights for PMs at every level.

Here are the highlights from this insightful roundtable discussion:

Building Influence Across Teams

Influence begins with trust, and trust is built through active listening, clear alignment with organizational objectives, and meaningful relationships. For example, a product manager leading a cross-functional team on a critical project might begin by hosting regular listening sessions with stakeholders to understand their concerns and align on goals. This approach not only fosters trust but also ensures that everyone feels heard and valued, creating a foundation for collaboration. The discussion emphasized that product managers need to:

• Actively Listen: Understand the perspectives of cross-functional teams and stakeholders to create a shared vision.





• Align Goals: Connect product objectives to broader organizational strategies to demonstrate relevance and drive buy-in.





• Foster Relationships: Build credibility through consistent, transparent communication and collaboration.

Driving Effective Experimentation

Experimentation is at the heart of innovation, but it needs to be purposeful and aligned with business goals. For instance, a general example of successful experimentation could involve testing a new onboarding flow for a SaaS product. By running an A/B test on two variations of the onboarding process, a team might identify a version that reduces drop-offs and increases user engagement. This targeted approach illustrates how experiments can address key business metrics and deliver measurable results. Key takeaways included:

• Prioritize Experiments: Focus on experiments that directly address risks or uncover opportunities.





• Set Clear Objectives: Define what success looks like and ensure experiments are designed to provide actionable insights.





• Leverage Data: Use findings to guide decisions, reduce uncertainty, and inform future product iterations.

Navigating Pushback

Resistance to experimentation is a common challenge for product managers. For example, a product manager introducing A/B testing in a traditionally conservative organization might encounter skepticism from stakeholders who prefer sticking to familiar processes. In such cases, demonstrating how a small-scale experiment led to a 15% boost in user retention elsewhere can help illustrate the potential value, easing resistance and fostering a more open mindset toward change. Panelists discussed strategies to address this, such as:

• Demonstrating ROI: Present data that shows the value of experimentation in reducing risks and achieving outcomes.





• Reframing Conversations: Position experiments as a way to test ideas and validate assumptions, rather than as costly endeavors.





• Collaborating with Stakeholders: Engage resistant stakeholders early to incorporate their feedback and secure their support.

The Future of PM Leadership

As we approach 2025, product management roles are transforming. Automation and AI are taking over repetitive tasks like data analysis, enabling product managers to focus on higher-value activities. For instance, AI tools can provide predictive analytics to inform strategic decisions or streamline user feedback analysis to uncover actionable insights more efficiently. With automation and AI streamlining repetitive tasks, product managers must adapt to focus on:

Strategic Leadership: Balancing long-term vision with short-term execution and adapting to market feedback.

Creativity: Bringing unique ideas and solutions to the table.

Collaboration: Strengthening partnerships across teams and organizations.

Watch the Replay

If you missed the session or want to revisit these valuable insights, the full replay is available on YouTube. Watch the replay now:

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This session reinforced the importance of influence, experimentation, and adaptability in shaping the future of product management. Thank you to everyone who joined, and we look forward to seeing you at our next TPG Live event!